http://www.thisislondon.com/sport/football/articles/7860762
Henry priceless to Arsenal
By Steve Stammers, Evening Standard, in Milan
26 November 2003
Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood today insisted Thierry Henry was not for sale at any price after the Frenchman led the astonishing 5-1 destruction of Internazionale last night.
The extraordinary victory, the first by an English club in the San Siro for 42 years, means the Gunners only have to beat Lokomotiv Moscow at Highbury in a fortnight to qualify for the Champions League knockout stages.
Henry scored twice and Hill-Wood said: "He is irreplaceable. I was at dinner the night before the game and someone asked me about Thierry's price - £50million, £70m or £100m if Abramovich came on and called.
"My reply was that we are not interested in selling. We have no intention of letting him go."
During the summer the new Chelsea owner was said to have made an enquiry for Henry in a meeting with Arsenal vicechairman David Dein.
Hill-Wood added: "I have been on the board since 1962 and this result and performance has to be one of my proudest moments - perhaps the proudest. To win 5-1, against Inter in Milan - that is just magnificent. "
Qualification for the knockout stages could give Arsene Wenger £15m to spend during the January window and is also a major boost with Arsenal still confident of finalising the finance for their new £450m home at Ashburton Grove.
Hill-Wood added: "What good is it having one of the best stadiums in the world if we do not have a team to match?
"It was a great coup for us to sign him on a new four-year contract in May. He is not only a great player - probably the most complete I have seen at Arsenal - but he also has great character and he is a lovely boy.
"Of course, we pay him a hell of a lot of money but he has never come across to me as a greedy person. It was a pleasure dealing with him and we are delighted that he is staying on."
In a further boost for Arsenal Patrick Vieira - out for the last month with a thigh injury - should be back for the match against Lokomotiv.
Vieira completed a double training session on Monday and will spend the next ten days on an intensive training programme to make the next game.
Henry priceless to Arsenal
By Steve Stammers, Evening Standard, in Milan
26 November 2003
Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood today insisted Thierry Henry was not for sale at any price after the Frenchman led the astonishing 5-1 destruction of Internazionale last night.
The extraordinary victory, the first by an English club in the San Siro for 42 years, means the Gunners only have to beat Lokomotiv Moscow at Highbury in a fortnight to qualify for the Champions League knockout stages.
Henry scored twice and Hill-Wood said: "He is irreplaceable. I was at dinner the night before the game and someone asked me about Thierry's price - £50million, £70m or £100m if Abramovich came on and called.
"My reply was that we are not interested in selling. We have no intention of letting him go."
During the summer the new Chelsea owner was said to have made an enquiry for Henry in a meeting with Arsenal vicechairman David Dein.
Hill-Wood added: "I have been on the board since 1962 and this result and performance has to be one of my proudest moments - perhaps the proudest. To win 5-1, against Inter in Milan - that is just magnificent. "
Qualification for the knockout stages could give Arsene Wenger £15m to spend during the January window and is also a major boost with Arsenal still confident of finalising the finance for their new £450m home at Ashburton Grove.
Hill-Wood added: "What good is it having one of the best stadiums in the world if we do not have a team to match?
"It was a great coup for us to sign him on a new four-year contract in May. He is not only a great player - probably the most complete I have seen at Arsenal - but he also has great character and he is a lovely boy.
"Of course, we pay him a hell of a lot of money but he has never come across to me as a greedy person. It was a pleasure dealing with him and we are delighted that he is staying on."
In a further boost for Arsenal Patrick Vieira - out for the last month with a thigh injury - should be back for the match against Lokomotiv.
Vieira completed a double training session on Monday and will spend the next ten days on an intensive training programme to make the next game.
